The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-04-27
Christian Neighbor.
BY REV. sIDI III. BROWNE,
OF the South Carolina Conference
A Questionable Ambition.

The eagerness evinced by many
Christians to be "recognized" socially
by people who are essentially worldly
but of "high standing" is weakness
deserving of meager pity. Not to Wis
it these "leaders of society," is to argue
ones self wholly unknown; not to be
seen frequently in company OF those
of thigh degree" is equivalent to So
cial ostracism. 1t matters little Ito
some) what congenial friends minister
to the pleasures of quiet or merry
hour,-where is the worth of this COM
pared with "call" from Madm. LIE
Bon Ton? 1t may be these two have
nothing whatever in common. No. l
has succeeded in gaining "social rec
ognition," and her mind is at peace
with all mankind. "The world" as it
rather arrogantly styles itself, assumes
to have absorbed all refinement, all
mental cultivation, all ladies, and all
gentlemen. 1t takes no cognizance OF
the purity, gentleness, nobility, etc.,
not bearing the stamp of "the world.'
With no tinge of bitterness in the
heart one can but regard with a some
what amused mind the autocratic airs
of this "world"-a world made up of
a minimum of handsomely dressed
people who are lin many cases) "well-
hammered" and "real polite" Be
yond this charmed circle lies all black
ness and barbarism. And yet many
Christian men and women sigh for
recognition by those who know-we
venture to assert it-absolutely moth
ing of Christianity except a "bit o.
prayer at church." and a spasmodic
dropping of a nickel or dime into the
plate on Sundays. Gan officer Of one
of the wealthy churches of New York
City has recently stated that he knows
it to be a fact that many of the
wealthy "belles" who yearly spent
thousands of dollars in dress never put
into the contribution box more than a
dime.) Many of these devotees OF
pleasure would be angered to have one
place them outside the "pale of Chris
tianity." Would you call US heath
ems? they ask. Yet beyond the weak
est religious sentiments they have no
leanings toward the God incarnate,
the despised Christ of Calvary.
If Christians would make point Of
seeking Christian fellowship rather
than ''social recognition" their hearts
would be strengthened, and they
would readily forget "world" that
certainly has no tolerance for religion.
It is a common practice for persons
to Join this church or that to obtain
either frieuds who may be considered
their socI.l equals, or to climb the So
cial ladder till they reach tho coveted
heights. Often, however, these seek
ers after recognition" by the ''world"
meet what. they deserve, disappoint-
ment. Beyond the chance bow in the
aisle-if they get even that-there has
been no success in penetrating the pre-
cincts of fashionable society" While
the majority in this soi-disarat "world"
are an tait in all that pertains to polite
life, are of ready tact, knowing just
when and how to act,-yet if these be
not pronounced Christians is poor
ambition for unknown" Christians to
covet their fellowship. What less
likely than that Christians would
spend all their time in dressing, din
ing, lunching, dancing, theatre-going,
and the like?